Cupertino's bag ban begins Oct. 1

Attention, Cupertino shoppers: Plastic single-use shopping bags will no longer be given out by stores in Cupertino beginning Oct. 1.

Stores in Cupertino will be required to charge 10 cents for a recycled paper bag, and they will not be allowed to give out free single-use plastic carryout bags. Shoppers can avoid the 10 cent fee by bringing their own reusable bag or use no bag at all when shopping.

The Cupertino City Council voted unanimously Jan. 15 to adopt an ordinance that will prohibit the distribution of free single-use plastic carryout bags from most retail shops in the city, a move that could affect approximately 275 retailers within the city.

Restaurants and nonprofit charitable organizations are exempt from the ordinance. Grocery stores and produce markets may still distribute protective plastic bags for the handling of fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.

The new ordinance is similar to those in effect in San Jose and Sunnyvale. The council made the move to comply with mandates from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and to cut down on litter in the city.

Cupertino is among 70 municipalities that discharge rainwater into San Francisco Bay and is required to submit a trash reduction plan to the water quality control board.

The bag ban is one of a number of choices Cupertino and other cities will need to consider in an effort to cut down on trash making its way into creeks, streams and waterways to appease the water quality control board.

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Before July 1, Cupertino will need to cut its trash by 40 percent; in 2017, by 70 percent; and by 100 percent in July 2022, according to a January city of Cupertino staff report. A long-term litter plan to accomplish 70 percent and 100 percent complianceis due to the water board on Feb. 1.